Childhood Atopic Dermatitis Is Associated With Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young Adulthood
Journal of the European
Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV: Published: May 2023
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common recurrent chronic
inflammation in the skin in both children and adults. It is characterized
by an itchy rash with typical localization and often requires daily treatment
with emollients and/or topical corticosteroids, depending on severity.
In recent years, AD among adolescents and adults has been
suggested to be associated with risk factors for later CVD.
Lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy diet, physical
inactivity and tobacco and alcohol use, have been identified as important risk
factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD)1 and
can manifest as raised blood pressure, increased blood lipids, overweight and
obesity. In addition, sleep disturbances such as insomnia and short sleep
duration have been associated with an increased risk of weight gain and CVD.
Authors aim was to assess the association between AD in
childhood and risk factors for CVD in young adulthood, using data from a
population-based birth cohort.
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This population-based cohort study
investigated cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index, blood
pressure, and plasma lipids, in young adults with childhood atopic dermatitis
(AD).
At 24 years of age, males, but not
females, with a history of childhood AD had an increased risk of being
overweight, hypertension, and elevated low-density lipoprotein levels compared
with males without AD.
Further analysis showed that severe AD was significantly associated with obesity in both sexes.
CONCLUSION
Atopic Dermatitis (AD) in males is associated with early risk
factors such as obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia for CVD in young
adulthood. The duration and severity of AD seem to be of importance in both
males and females.
Therefore, it is important to reduce the severity and
duration of AD. This can be done through adequate treatment and support from
the healthcare system.
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Background: Studies have indicated that atopic dermatitis (AD) is
associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However,
data are conflicting. Furthermore, the longitudinal effect of childhood AD on
cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood is less investigated.
Objectives: To assess associations between AD in childhood and CVD risk
factors in young adulthood.
Methods: The study encompasses longitudinal data from a population-based
birth cohort. Participants with data up to age 24 years were included (n =
2270). The primary outcomes were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference
(WC), body fat per cent (BF%) and blood pressure (BP) at 24 years. The
secondary outcome was blood lipids. Severe AD was defined as AD in combination
with sleep disturbance due to itching.
Results: In total, 18.6% (n = 420) had AD at 24 years. Males with AD
had higher BMI (βAdj. 0.81, 95% CI 0.15-1.47), BF% (βAdj. 1.19,
95% CI 0.09-2.29), systolic BP (βAdj. 1.92, 95% CI 0.02-3.82),
total cholesterol (βAdj. 0.14, 95% CI 0.00-0.28) and LDL
cholesterol (βAdj. 0.15, 95% CI 0.02-0.27) compared with males
without AD. No associations were seen in females. Current AD with prepubertal
onset was associated with increased BMI in both males (βAdj. 0.89,
95% CI 0.11-1.67) and females (βAdj. 0.72, 95% CI 0.11-1.33).
At 24 years, 23.1% (n = 97) of all with AD, had severe disease, which was
significantly associated with overweight in both sexes, with BMI (βAdj. 1.83,
95% CI 0.72-2.94), WC (βAdj. 4.03, 95% CI 1.54-6.52) and BF% (βAdj. 2.49,
95% CI 0.60-4.39) in females and with BF% (βAdj. 2.96, 95% CI
0.23-5.69) in males, compared with peers with mild to moderate AD.
Conclusion: AD in males appears to be associated with CVD risk factors in
young adulthood. The duration and severity of AD seem to be of importance in
both sexes.
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